12th May, 2015
A surge in violence – including reports of abductions of males as young as 10-years-old, and the rape and abduction of girls and women – in South Sudan’s north-east has prompted the UN to call for all parties involved in the conflict to ensure civilians are protected.
In a statement issued on 11th May, the UN’s Mission in South Sudan said it has grown "increasingly concerned" about reports coming from Guit and Koch counties – backed by information collected by UNMISS itself – that tell of the burning of towns and villages, killings, abductions of males as young as 10-years-old, the rape and abduction of girls and women, and the forced displacement of civilians.
The statement said while it remains unclear who committed such atrocities, "it is the responsibility of Government to ensure that all civilians are protected, as well as for all parties to ensure appropriate command and control of their combatants to prevent the targeting of civilians".
Ellen Margrethe L‚àö‚àèj, special representative of the UN secretary-general for South Sudan, reminded all parties in the ongoing conflict in the country "of their obligation to abide by international human rights and humanitarian law, take all measures not to harm civilians and guarantee the safety of international aid organizations and United Nations personnel and assets".
"There is no legitimate reason to burn civilian homes, or target civilian girls, boys, women or men through violence, including sexual violence.”
About 119,000 people are sheltering in UNMISS compounds around the country which was thrust into civil war in December 2013.
South Sudanese military groups recently released almost 1,500 child soldiers. It is estimated that some 13,000 children are associated with armed forces and groups nationwide.
– www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/unmiss/
– DAVID ADAMS